| Ephesians 1:15-23 |
Observations and Interpretation |
| 15) For this reason I too, |
"For this reason" is a common transition Paul uses for a new thought but in the context of the preceding
thought. The preceding verses Ephesians 1:3-14, is praise
and thanksgiving for what God has done in Christ and the result of reconciling man with God; Gentiles are
fellow heirs of the promise made to God’s own people Israel. |
| having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you
and |
Paul has heard of the Ephesians faith noting their vertical relationship with God. |
| your love for all the saints, |
And he notes their expression of love by their horizontal relationships with others which is
evidence of their genuine faith. |
| 16) do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, |
Paul’s prayer starts here. For their faith in Christ and love of others, a prisoner is genuinely
thankful for the Ephesian Christians and prays for them constantly! |
| may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation |
Paul prays that God will give them "wisdom" (Greek: sophia), the insight into the true
nature of things and "revelation" (Greek: apocalysis), the spiritual insight and discernment of
divine truth (1 Cor 2:7-16). |
| in the knowledge of Him. |
"Knowledge" (Greek: epignōsis) in this instance refers to a fullness of knowledge acquired
through a personal relationship. Paul prays for the Holy Spirit’s provision of wisdom and revelation so that
a Christian will know God more completely; knowing God through Jesus Christ. |
| 18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, |
"Heart" is a figure of speech that Paul uses to represent a person’s thoughts, emotions and moral
judgment. In knowing God, Paul prays that the Christian will realize… |
| so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, |
The "hope of His calling" refers to the fact of salvation which ultimately culminates in
glorification when man can no longer sin (Rom 8:23-24;
Col 1:5). |
| what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, |
The "riches of the glory of His inheritance" refers to the fact of the Kingdom of God. While
Ephesians 1:3-14 speak of blessings of redemption that
Christians inherit in Christ, Ephesians 1:18 speaks of
Jesus’ inheritance of the saints which occurs with His inheritance of the Kingdom of God (see the article:
What is the Kingdom of God? Is it present or in the future?).
As members of this Kingdom, Christians are beneficiaries of its riches. |
| 19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us
who believe.
|
"Surpassing" (Greek: hyperballō) refers to out of worldly or unimaginable, and "power"
(Greek: dynamis) refers to capability or potential capability. God’s power is incomparably great. |
| These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His
might |
"Working" (Greek: energeia) refers to effective operation and control, "strength" (Greek:
ichys) refers to bodily and muscular strength that overcomes resistance and "might" (Greek:
kratos) refers to power. The spiritually dynamic power of God is an enormous and living force directed
towards Christians. |
| 20) which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from
the dead and |
The power of God is exemplified in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
(Phil 3:10). |
| seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21) far
above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but
also in the one to come. |
The power of God is exemplified in the Ascension and Kingship of Jesus Christ
(Rom 8:34;
Col 3:1-4). |
| 22) And He put all things in subjection under His feet,
and |
The power of God is exemplified in the supreme and uncontestable Lordship of Jesus Christ
(1 Cor 15:23-28;
Phil 2:8-11). |
| gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23) which is
His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. |
The power of God is exemplified in the Headship over the church
(Col 1:15-18).
|